Thanksgiving is Good for You

eDevotion

Encouragement for your daily walk with God 

Over the years, I’ve read from studies done at universities in the US and England that show thankfulness (gratitude) is good for you. There is a link between good health and thankfulness. 

One such study showed that people who journaled their gratitude had fewer physical sickness symptoms, felt better about their lives, and were more optimistic about the future. 

I think there is a theological reason for this. Thankfulness is powerfully linked to grace. 

Let me show you the connection. Well, let’s let the Apostle Paul make the connection. He wrote to the Corinthian Christ followers, “For it is all for your sake, so that as grace extends to more and more people it may increase thanksgiving, to the glory of God” [2 Corinthians 4.15 NIV - emphasis mine].  

The first underlined word is grace. It comes from the Greek word, charis. The second underlined word is thanksgiving. That comes from the Greek word, eucharistia. Do you see it? Grace - charis - is right in the middle of thanksgiving - eucharistia.

Let me say it this way: Grace is at the heart of thanksgiving. A grateful heart is keenly award of grace. When you habitually thank God for His interaction in your life, grace takes center place. When your mind is filled with grace thoughts, your whole life, body, soul, and spirit, begins to flourish. 

While many think of thanksgiving as a holiday, Christ followers know that it is the key to an abundant life. Thanksgiving is good for you. 

O give thanks unto the Lord, for He is good, for His steadfast love endures forever. Psalm 136:1

God Eternal

eDevotion

Encouragement for your daily walk with God 

As I grow older, it’s getting harder to remember things about my childhood. I can remember some very specific things because they had a dramatic effect on my life. I also remember some general things, like walking to school barefooted in the snow — uphill, both ways! Wait, I think that was my Dad! 

While things like that are getting harder to remember, some things are getting easier to understand, like understanding there were hundreds of generations that lived before me and will live after me, should the Lord tarry His return. 

That’s why I’m comforted to know One who “lived” in years past, “lives” today, and will “live” in the future. He was there to witness my birth in 1950. He saw the first man step onto the moon’s surface in July of 1969; the sinking of the Titanic in1912; the nailing of the 95 theses to the Castle Church’s door in 1517; the crucifixion of His Son, the crossing of the Red Sea; the Garden of Eden. Yes, I’m talking about the One who existed in perfect satisfaction even before the world began — the eternal God!

As Francis Schaeffer’s book title reveals, He is “The God Who Is There.” He’s always been there. He predates time and will be there long after time no longer exists. There is no beginning or ending with Him. The Psalmist knew that. “From everlasting to everlasting,” he said of Him. And, then he added a little more to it. Not only has God existed forever, but He has always existed as God.

He didn’t have to climb a ladder of success to get to be God. He didn’t have to beat out another god to take His position. He didn’t have to wait His turn to be God. He didn’t earn the right to be God. He just is — God. Everlasting. Always.  

I find great comfort in that. God was fully God when I was young, and He will be fully God when I’m elderly (that’s not too far ahead of me!). He will be fully God as my children grow old, as my grandchildren grow old. His dominion, power, love, wisdom, and goodness will not diminish in any way by time, circumstances, or world events. He is God. That’s it!

It was such an encouragement to me today as I read from the Psalms. I know, I believe, I trust a God who, from everlasting to everlasting, is fully God. 

From everlasting to everlasting, thou art God. Psalm 90:2

Resurrection

eDevotion

Encouragement for your daily walk with God 

What would you expect to experience if you were in the tomb where Jesus lay? Death. Stone, cold death. Lungs with no air in them. A brain with no activity. Fingers with no feeling. Just death. A lifeless body that remained on a stone slab just as when it was put there.  

Jesus was dead. There can be no doubt about that. The Roman soldiers in charge of his death were masters of execution. There was no doubt in their minds. Had they the slightest thought that He might still be alive, they would have broken His legs to hasten the inevitable. But that wasn’t necessary; He was dead. Blood and water from a spear wound made it clear; He was dead. So, when their job was done, they pried Jesus’ body from the cross and gave it to Nicodemus and Joseph of Arimathea.

They must work quickly to get the body of Jesus in the tomb before Passover began. So, they did what you’d expect someone to do with a crucified body. They washed Him to remove caked on blood. They didn’t have time for the traditional spices and ointment. That would have to be done later. They merely wrapped Him with clean linen and placed Him lovingly in the tomb. 

A great stone secured the tomb. Roman guards were stationed in front of it. A Roman seal was set on the stone for added protection. No one can go in or out of the tomb without grave consequences. 

What happened early that Sunday morning no one really knows. There wasn’t anyone in the tomb with Jesus to witness the actual event. But something truly miraculous happened. Dead lungs began to expand and contract. Rigid joints began to bend. Silent lips opened. Death gave way to life, and the world has stood in awe ever since. 

There is a special joy in the life of a Christ follower because of the resurrection. It’s because we were stone cold dead spiritually. There was no breath of God in us. Great scholars have called it TOTAL DEPRAVITY. The Apostle Paul said we were “dead in trespasses and sins” [Ephesians 2.1].

But there came a day when, because we put our faith in Christ who rose from the dead, we came to life, full spiritual life. Let me quote the entirety of Ephesians 2.1, “And you He made alive, who were dead in trespasses and sins.” Our once dead lungs now have the breath of God in them. Our once dead bodies are alive in Christ. All because of the resurrection.

No one comes to that kind of life without the resurrection. It’s the constant on which the salvation stands. Paul said it this way, “That if you will confess Jesus as Lord, and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved” [Romans 10.9].

Because of the resurrection, there is complete salvation for you and me. All I can say is “Hallelujah!” 

For if we have been united together in the likeness of His death, certainly we also shall be in the likeness of His resurrection, knowing this, that our old man was crucified with Him, that the body of sin might be done away with, that we should no longer be slaves of sin. For he who has died has been freed from sin. Now if we died with Christ, we believe that we shall also live with Him, knowing that Christ, having been raised from the dead, dies no more. Death no longer has dominion over Him. Romans 6.5-9

Renewal

eDevotion

Encouragement for your daily walk with God 

One thing I remember about raising our two kids was their boundless energy. It’s almost like their little bodies manufactured energy. And they seemed to have only two speeds: faster and fastest. I remember saying to one of them, “Do you want to take a nap?” “NO, I NOT TIRED!” So, I literally had to drag the child to the bedroom. “Not sleepy, not sleepy.” I had no longer than put the child in the crib, covered her up, kissed her on the forehead, and she was already asleep. Scripture says “even the youths shall faint and be weary.” 

Well, I don’t have to say too much about the rest of us here. We adults certainly have constant reminders of our weariness. It seems the older I get, the more times of refreshing I need. That’s because God didn’t create us as self-contained, autonomous creatures. 

That’s also true in the spiritual realm. I don’t know of anyone who walks this earth in self-sustaining satisfaction. We keep looking for that “fountain of youth,” a renewal place that we can return to often to recharge our batteries. 

I have come to know that place! Those who “wait on the Lord shall renew their strength.” He is the source of life that is never empty. You don’t have to wait around for Him to charge up. His supply never runs out. Come to Him in any condition. Young, old, rich, poor, sick or well. He will supply the strength you need, not just for that moment only, buy also over and over throughout our lives. 

Don’t be like the child who denies they need rest and strength. Go to God and wait. Wait for His good purpose. His good timing. His good supply. Lay your head on the pillow of grace and find the deep, much-needed renewal that He provides.

Even the youths shall faint and be weary, and the young men shall utterly fall, but those who wait on the Lord shall renew their strength; They shall mount up with wings like eagles, they shall run and not be weary, they shall walk and not faint. Isaiah 40.30-31

They Comfort in Vain

eDevotion

Encouragement for your daily walk with God 

My text this morning is Zechariah 10:1-2. As I was reading through the book yesterday, a little phrase popped up and caught my attention. When Zechariah mentioned idols and psychics, he said “they comfort in vain.” 

There are a lot of things that comfort in vain. Take cosmetics, for example. Consumers in the  U.S. spend approximately $16B a year to look good and smell great. But they are not the “fountain of youth” they claim to be. They comfort in vain. Same goes for the car you drive. No matter how European it is, you’re not any sexier for owning one. They comfort in vain.

False teachers fit into this category too. They pretend to have a new revelation from God, a new teaching, a new way. But they are just as blind as the millions of people who follow after them. They comfort in vain.

There is only one true promise of comfort; His name is Jesus, because He is the Way, the Truth, and the Life. He is the source of soul-filling, need-meeting, and pleasure-supplying comfort.

Eugene Peterson’s rendering of Zechariah 10:1-2 is very insightful. He wrote, “Pray to God for rain—it’s time for the spring rain—to God, the rainmaker, Spring thunderstorm maker, maker of grain and barley. Store-bought gods babble gibberish. Religious experts spout rubbish. They pontificate hot air. Their prescriptions are nothing but smoke. And so the people wander like lost sheep, poor lost sheep without a shepherd” [The MESSAGE Paraphrase].

You’ll search in vain to find real comfort outside of Jesus Christ. Flee to Him. Ask for His tender mercy and complete forgiveness. You will not be disappointed because His comfort in NOT in vain!

Ask the Lord for rain in the time of the latter rain. The Lord will make flashing clouds; He will give them showers of rain, grass in the field for everyone. For the idols speak delusion; The diviners envision lies, and tell false dreams; They comfort in vain. Therefore the people wend their way like sheep; They are in trouble because there is no shepherd. Zechariah 10:1-2

Daily Praise

eDevotion

Encouragement for your daily walk with God 

Have you ever given thought to thank God for each element of your dinner? Wait, I’m serious. My Jewish friends tell me that they have specific blessings to say over specific foods. There’s one for fruits, wine, things made with flour other than bread, vegetables, et al, and a general blessing, which covers anything missed. If it were me, I’d say the general blessing and get on with it! 

But after thinking about it, I can see the benefit of such blessings. Each item that we eat has something different to be thankful for. Whether biting into a sweet apple, or eating a slice of whole grain bread, or biting into a crisp carrot, or drinking a glass of cold water, each has its own sensory experience, and is a reminder to have an attitude of gratitude for the many ways God blesses us daily.

That’s the idea behind Psalm 68.19: Praise be to the Lord, to God our Savior, who daily bears our burdens. One of my Hebrew translations says, “Blessed is the Lord, day by day. He provides for us, the God who delivers us, always.”

“Day by day.” Each day. Every day. If I get this right, the idea is that each day’s gratitude is to be different. Today’s gratitude should be different than yesterday’s. Today’s gratitude should be different than tomorrow’s. Because each day brings a new experience with the “God who delivers us, always.” Isn’t that the truth behind Lamentations 3.22-23? “The steadfast love of the LORD never ceases; his mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning” 

New mercies each new day. Wow! There are so many things to be grateful for. Don’t miss them. Look for them. Find the new mercies of the Lord daily. Once you’ve discovered it — or I should say “them,” rejoice! Praise God for them!

Praise be to the Lord, to God our Savior, who daily bears our burdens. Psalm 68.19

Ministry = Good Works

eDevotion

Encouragement for your daily walk with God 

Good works. Don’t shy away from these great biblical words. If they bother you, substitute the word “ministry” for them. They are one and the same thing. We were created in Christ to do them [Ephesians 2.10]. Ministry is designed to benefit others while God is glorified publicly. That’s what Matthew said, “Let your light shine before men in such a way that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father who is in heaven” [5.16]. The author of Hebrews challenges the church to “stimulate one another to love and good deeds” when we come together for fellowship and worship [10.24].

A good deed is anything done in the name of the Lord. Giving a cup of water in the Lord’s name constitutes a good deed [Matthew 10.42]. Whatever the good work, large or small, it’s done in Jesus’ name so that HE receives the credit.

While we are blessed when we do ministry, it really is for the benefit of others, not ourselves. That’s why so many verses in the Bible talk about ministering to the poor and needy {See Deuteronomy 15.11 and Proverbs 19.17]. There’s an interesting passage in the letter to the Galatians that says we are to “share all good things” with those who instruct us [6.6].

Let’s not forget about ministry to the lost. The principle is the same; we share what we have received from God with those who desperately need the Gospel. While men can recover from earthly circumstances, there is no eternal solution outside of Jesus. 

It’s critical as we come together as the Body of Christ, that we encourage one another to good works. Our churches should be a place of ministry, not merely a place of gathering.

For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them. Ephesians 2.10